Ironing machine



May 31, 1938. E. B. CARSON IRONING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 31, 1938. E. B. CARSON 130mm MACHINE Filed July 16, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Kama/Wu, $222110 1722M May 31, 1938. E. B. CARSON IRONING MACHINE Filed July 1a, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 31, 1938. E. a. CARSON IRONING MACHINE Filed July 16,1956

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I'M/6 mior': Fizz am! 15f Garawa E. B. CARSON 2,119,222

May 31, 1938.

IRONING MACHINE Filed Jul 'ie, 19:56

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Z114! IV/III Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE IRONING MACHINE Edward B. Carson, Fort Myers,'Fla.

Application July 16, 1936, Serial No. 90,911

' 9 Claims. v(c1. 3860) This invention relates to ironing machines, and has to do with an ironing machine intended fo domestic use. f

Among the objects of my invention are the provision of an ironing machine of simple and inexpensive construction, which comprises relatively few parts, is of comparatively light weight, may be mounted upon a door, wall, or other suitable support, and the operation of which may be controlled with expedition and facility. Further objects and advantages will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an ironing machine i5 embodying my invention;.

Figure 2 is a front view of the ironing ma-, chine, partly broken away;

Figure 3 is a sectional view, .on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1, partly broken away, certain parts being shown in elevation, and the shoe, shoe shaft and associated parts being omitted for clearness of illustration;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 1, parts being broken away and certain parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 5 isa fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 2, the roll being shown fragmentarily and in end view; 1

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view through the stripping plate supporting rod and associated parts, on an enlarged scale, taken sub- 'stantially on line 6--B of Figure 1, certain parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 7 is a view, partly in section and partly broken away, taken substantially on line I--| *of Figure 1, showing the roll in end view and the shoe supporting arm released in raised position;

Figure 8 is an endview of the ironing machine, looking at the shoe operating lever end thereof,

with the housing forthis lever and associated the door thereof in opened position, illustrating the. application of my machine to the closet door.

. .The ironing machine of my invention com-- prises a frame l5 having a bight portion l6 and arms I! and I8 extending forwardly from the ends thereof, this frame being of substantially U-shape in plan. Preferably, frame I5 is formed in a single piece from sheet metal plate of suitable gauge, by stamping and bending operations, though it may be formed in any other suitable or preferredmanner.

An-exteriorly threaded bushing I9, provided at its outer end with an exterior flange 20, is inserted through arm 18 of the frame, and clamped thereto by means of a clamping nut 2| screwing upon the body of the'bushing and cooperating with flange 20. ,Bushing I9 is dis posed coaxially with sleeve 22 of a cup-shaped member 23 provided, at its outer end, with a circumferential flange 24 suitably secured, conveniently by spot welding, to arm I! at the inner face thereof. A bushing 25, which is preferably a graphite filled bushing of known type, is mounted in sleeve 22. A roll shaft '28, rotatably mounted in bushings l9 and 25, projects beyond the latter bushing, and has its adjacent outer end portion shaped to provide a squared stud 21. This stud fits into a coupling member 28 secured thereon in a suitable manner, as by means of a set screw 29. Member 28 is provided, at its outer end, with projections 30 disposed between projections 3| of a, similar and oppositely disposed coupling member 32,.there being a felt cushioning member 33 disposed between the projections of the coupling members. This provides a flexible coupling between the roll shaft 26 and the associated drive shaft therefor, hereinafter referred to. The coupling is of known type and need not be illustrated nor described in greater detail. While this particular form of coupling is preferred, any other suitable or preferred coupling may be used. It will be noted that the member 23 accommodates the coupling member 21} and reduces the length of the coupling extending outward beyond arm I! of frame 15, which is conducive to compact arrangement of parts.

An electric motor 34 is mounted, by means of a bracket 35, on the outer face of arm I l of the frame. This motor has driving connection, through an associated speed reduction unit 36, to a stub shaft 31 which fits into coupling member 32, the latter being secured to stub shaft 31 by a set screw 38. The electric motor 34 and the associated unit 36 are built together, constituting a power and speed reduction unit, are of known construction, and need not be described nor illustrated in greater detail. This provides simple and highly eflicient means for driving the roll shaft 26, which shaft is driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 8.

An ironing roll is mounted upon shaft 25 for rotation therewith. This roll is, in general, of known construction and comprises a sheet metal cylindrical body 4| within which, adjacent each end of the body, are secured cupshaped sheet metal heads 42 and 43. A relatively thick collar 44 is secured to the outer face of head 42, centrally thereof, conveniently by spot welding, this collar and head 42 being provided with aligned openings which accommodate shaft 26. Head 43 is also provided, at its outer face, with a relatively thick collar 45 spot welded thereto and provided, at its outer end, with a diametrical slot 46 which receives a key 41 secured through shaft 26. In this manner roll 40 is keyed to shaft 26 for rotation therewith and is held against endwise movement by contact of the collars 44 and 46 with sleeve 22 and bushing I9, as will be clear from Figure 3. The roll 40 is provided with a fabric pad and covering 48, of known type, as is usual.

A shoe shaft 50 is rockably mounted through arms H and |8-of frame I5, in back of roll 4|] and spaced from bight element I5 of the frame. An arm 5| is secured on shaft 50, conveniently by means of a taper pin 52, midway between arms IT and |8 of the frame. Arm 5| extends at an upward and forward inclination from shaft 50 and is slotted from its upper end, at 53. Ashoe supporting arm 54, of channel cross-section, straddles arm 5| and is loosely mounted at its lower end upon shaft 50. Bight element of arm 54 is provided with a lengthwise slot 56, shown more clearly in Figure '1, which receives the reduced and threaded outer portion 57a of a headed screw 51, body 5% of which provides, at its outer end, a shoulder for contact with the inner face of bight element 55. A clamping nut 58, preferably knurled as shown, threads upon the screw 5'? at the outer face of the element 55. Normally, arm 54 is in lowered position with bight element 55 seating upon the upper face of arm 5| and the body 57b of screw 51 engaged in slot 53 of arm 5|, with the nut 58 turned into tight contact with bight element 55, thus clamping the two arms together for movement as a unit, as in Figures 9 and 10. The upper end of arm 54 extends between two cars 59 projecting from the rear face of a shoe 50, and is pivoted thereto by a pin 5|. The forward face of shoe til is concaved to fit the curvature of roll 4|], with which the shoe cooperates in a known manner, and the shoe is moved to and from the roll, when the arms 5| and 54 are secured together, by rocking of shaft 50 in an appropriate manner.

Slot 56 extends beyond the upper endof slot 53 of arm 5| such a distance that screw 51 may be completely disengaged from the latter arm, thus permitting arm 54 to be turned about shaft 50 independently of arm 5|. 54 is shown as disengaged from arm 5| and turned'into substantially vertical position, the shoe 6!! being turned about the axis of pin 6| into substantially horizontal position so as to give ready access to the concaved ironing surface of the shoe for cleaning and polishing of such surface, or other purposes. In the event the frame I5 is mounted upon a supporting surface, indicated by the dot and dash line 8-8 of Figure '7, such as to prevent turning of the shoe into the substantially horizontal position shown In Figure 7 arm I in full lines, the shoe may be turned into the inclined position indicated by dot and dash lines so as to render readily accessible its ironing surface. In Figure '7 arm 5| is shown in full lines in the position which it occupies when shaft 50 has been turned counterclockwise for moving shoe 60 away from roll 40 and the position of this arm, when shaft 50 has been turned clockwise for moving the shoe to the roll, as in Figure 9, is indicated by the dot and dash lines. Shoe shaft 50 projects outward beyond arm l8 of frame l5 and this projecting end portion of the shaft is flattened at 62, as shown in Figure 1. A shoe operating arm 63 of channel cross section, as will be clear from Figures 1, 4 and 8, is secured upon the flattened end portion of shaft 5.0 and is confined between arm l8 of the frame and a cotter pin 64 inserted through shaft 50 adjacent the end thereof. A collar 65 is secured on shaft 50 in contact with the inner face of frame arm l8, by means of a set screw 66, this collar cooperating with arm l8 and arm 63 to hold shaft 50 against endwise movement. An operating rod 51 passes loosely through bight element 63a of arm 63, adjacent the lower end thereof, and has a nut 68 secured upon its rearward end andcontacting the rearward face of an outwardly bulged rounded element 63b of bight element 53a. A coil compression spring 59 is mounted about rod 61 and confined between the forward face of bight element 63a and a washer Iii adjustable on rod 51 by means of a nut threaded upon the rod and held in adjustment thereon by means of an associated jam nut it. This provides means for moving the shoe 60 into contact with the roll 40 and maintaining it in contact therewith under spring pressure upon rearward endwise movement of rod 61.

The forward end of rod 6'! is slotted and has secured therein in a suitable manner, conveniently by welding, a finger l3 projecting rearward from a cam yoke 74. Conveniently, yoke 14 is of laminated construction, comprising three plates suitably secured together, by welding or otherwise and finger 13 projects from the central plate. The yoke may be constructed in any other suitable or preferred manner.

Yoke M defines a square frame within which is disposed a cam 1'5 so shaped as to maintain contact with the four sides of the yoke, as in Figure 4, so as to avoid any objectionable looseness between the yoke and the cam. Cam "i5 is provided with an integral hub 15 which, together with the cam, is mounted to turn upon a stub shaft ll secured through arm l8 of frame l5. This stub shaft is provided, adjacent its inner end, with a shoulder 18 contacting the outer face of arm l8 and cooperating with a nut l9, screwing upon the inner end of shaft l1 at the inner face of arm M, for securing the stub shaft to the arm. Two washers 30 and B! are disposed about stub shaft TI and hub 16 of cam 15, respectively, at the inner side and the outer side of yoke 14 and serve to maintain thelatter and cam 15 in proper relative positions, axially of stub shaft 11. Cam "i5 and hub 16 thereof are confined against outward movement along stub shaft 11 by a washer 82 mounted'upon the shaft and confined between the outer end of hub It-and a cotter pin, 83 secured through stub shaft 71. A collar 84 is secured upon the outer portion of hub 16, by means of a set screw 85 and is provided with a recess which snugly receives the lower end of a shoe with corresponding turning of cam,'l5 was to move yoke I4 toward the left, shoe'shaft 58 is turned clockwise a proper distance for moving shoe 88 away from roll 48 out of contact therewith.

89 secured to frame I5, conveniently by welding, at the inner face of bight element I8 and arm I'I thereof. This switch comprises a switch lever 88 which is yieldingly urged toward circuit opening position, this lever being shown in closed circuit position in Figure 9. It will be understood that current is supplied to motor 84 by means of an electric cord enclosing conductors having appropriate connections to the switch 88 and the motor, this cord being provided with the usual plug cap for connection to a lighting or othersuitable circuit, by means of the usual plug,

A switch control arm 8| is seemed upon shoe s'haft'58 by means of a set screw 92. Arm 9| is so disposed'that it contacts switch lever 88 andmoves the latter into the closed circuit position shown in Figure 9 when shaft 58 isturned clockwise, as viewed in this figure, into position to hold shoe 68 in cooperating relation to roll 48. When shaft 58 is turned counterclockwise into position to hold shoe 88 out of contact with roll 48, arm 8|- releases the switch lever 98, which is then moved into circuit opening position, this resultingv in opening the motor circuit and stopping the drive of roll 48. The shoe operating lever 85 thus provides, in conjunction with shoe shaft 58 and associated parts, means whereby the shoe may be moved to and from the roll and the roll drive is enabled and disabled in accordance with movement of the shoe to and from the roll. This eliminates possibility of burning of the roll cover due to contact between the hot shoe and the roll without rotation of the latter, and also avoids unnecessary operation of the motor; with resulting conservation of electrical energy, whileproviding simple and highly efiicient means for controlling operation of the machine.

The shoe 88 is of known type and is heated by means of electrical resistance elements or heating means, in the known manner. The circuit of the heating element is controlled by a switch 93, of known type, supported by a bracket94 welded or otherwise suitably secured to arm I! of frame I5, at the front thereof. It will be understood that electrical energy may be supplied to'the heating elementbf shoe 88, through switch 93, by means of suitable connections to the conductors of the electric cord previously referred to. Sufllce it to state that electrical energy maybe supplied to "the heating element of shoe '88 and that the switch 83 provides means for controlling such supply of energy.

A rod 85, shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 6, is mounted in arms I1 and I8 of frame I5, beneeth roll 48 and inrear of roll shaft 28. A spaci'ng collar 96 is secured upon rod 85, by a pin 81, and contacts the inner face of arm I8, as shown in Figure 6. The end of rod 85, projecting out- A motor control switch 88, of known type, is suspended fromthe top wall of a box-like housing.

jward beyond arm I8, is threaded and receives a nut 88 which cooperates with collar 88 for confining shaft 85 against endwise movement in either direction and, if desired, for clamping the rod to arm I8 in such manner as to secure it against rotation. Preferably, however, collar 88 is provided, in its outer end, with a lengthwise bore which receives a pin 88 secured in arm I8 and effective for positively holding rod 95 against rotation.

A sheet metal stripping plate I88 is shaped at its lower portion to provide a sleeve I8I which fits loosely about rod 85, This plate is confined against endwise movement between collar 88 and a collar I82 mounted upon rod 85 at the inner face of arm ll of frame I5. Plate I88 is provided with a central slot I 83 which accommodates a leaf spring I84 the lower end portion of which is bent about rod 95 and secured thereto bymeans of a screw I85, or in any other suitable manner. At its upper end, spring I84 bears against the rearward face of plate I88 and holds the upper edge thereof in contact with the roller 48, this edge-of the plate being beveled and the plate being inclined upward and contra to the direction of rotation of the roller, as in Figure 5. Plate I88 serves to remove from the roller 48 articles which adhere thereto due to the presence of starch, or other causes, thus preventing possibility of wrapping articles about the roller. While the use of this plate may not be essential in all cases, it is preferred, though it may be omitted if desired.

The machine illustrated and abovedescribed is of compact construction, has-relatively few parts, and is of comparatively light weight. This machine does not require the use of a supporting table or stand and it may be mounted upon a door, wall, or other suitable-support, by means of the U-shaped frame I5. To facilitate mounting of the machine in this manner, I provide bight element I8 of frame I5 with keyhole slots I88 adapted for reception of round headed screws I8'I secured in a support I88; Preferably, the slots I88 are disposed adjacent the end portions of frame I5 and the top portion of bight-element I8, as will be-clear from Figures 3 and 9. Bight element I8 seats flat against the support I88 and, in conjunction with screws I81, serves to support the machine to best advantage while permitting ready removal thereof it necessary or desired.

Preferably, I provide a sheet metal box-like arm'83, rod 81, cam yoke I4, cam 15, and associated parts. This housing is suitably secured to arm J8 of frame I5, as by means of screws III passing through the top and the bottom walls of housing II8 which encloses the shoe operating the housing and threading into the upper and the lower edges of arm l8.v Housing H8 is provided with a slot II2 through its top and front walls,

which slot accommodates the shoe operating lenormal position, is indicated by dot and dash lines.

An ironing machine constructed in the manner herein disclosed and of a size for ironing handkerchiefs, neckties, and analogous articles, is of light weight and may be supported upon a wall, door, or other structure. In Figure 11 I have illustrated an ironing machine embodying my invention, indicated in its entirety by the reference letter I, as mounted upon a door d of a closet c, the machine being disposed at the inner face of the door so as to ,be within the closet when the door is in closed position. A machine of this character is particularly suitable for use in barber shops, shoe shine parlors, clothes cleaning and pressing establishments, and other places of like character, where patrons frequently desire to have handkerchiefs, neckties, and other small articles pressed. This machine, when made in larger sizes, suitable for household use, is of comparatively light weight and may be supported upon the house wall by means of screws I01 or equivalent means. This is advantageous, since the machine, supported in this manner, occupies but little space and is immediately available for use as desired. It is known that approximately percent of people using domestic ironing machines keep the machines in the kitchen. Since an ironing machine is used intermittently, and frequently but once or twice a week, it occupies in the kitchen space which at other times could be used to advantage. Various attempts have been made to solve this difiiculty, the most successful of which is the cabinet type of ironing machines capable of being used as a table when not being used for ironing. In many small apartments, however of the kitchenette type, even the cabinet type ironing machine may occupy an objectionable amount of space. I avoid this objection, to a great extent, by supporting the ironing machine of my invention upon the wall or other suitable support, leaving the floor space beneath unobstructed for other purposes, while also having the machine immediately available for use at all times. This I render possible by the use of a frame carrying the cooperating ironing elements and the driving and controlling means therefor, this frame being suitable for mounting upon a door, wall, or other supporting structure constituting a part of the house structure, the machine as a whole being so constructed and of such light weight as to permit of it Ming supported in the manner stated.

What I claim is: t

1. In an ironing machine of the character described, a frame of substantially U-shape in plan, a roll shaft rotatably mounted through the arms of said frame, a roll secured on said shaft, a shoe shaft rockably mounted through the arms of said frame, a shoe carried by said shoe shaft for movement to and from said roll, an electric motor mounted on one arm of said frame having driving connection to said roll shaft, said shoe shaft projecting outward beyond the other of said arms, an operating arm secured on said projecting portion of said shoe shaft, a shoe operating lever mounted on said other arm of said frame, and operating connections between said lever and said arm.

2. In an ironing machine of the character described, a frame provided adjacent each end with a forwardly projecting arm, a roll mounted on said arms, an electric motor mounted on one arm of said frame having driving connection to said roll, a shoe shaft rockably mounted in the arms of said if ame and projecting outward beyond the other arm thereof, a shoe supporting arm secured on said shaft and projecting upward therefrom, a shoe carried by said arm for movement to and from said roll, and shoe shaft operating means carried by said other arm of said frame and operatively connected to the portion of said shaft projecting outward beyond said other arm.

3. An ironing machine of the character described, comprising a frame, a roll mounted on said frame, means for rotating said roll, a rod mounted in said frame beneath said roll, a stripping plate mounted on said rod inclined upward toward said roll contra to the direction of rotation thereof, and means cooperating with said rod for yieldingly holding the upper edge of said plate in contact with said roll.

4. An ironing machine of the character described, comprising a frame, a roll mounted on said frame, means for rotating said roll, a rod mounted in said frame beneath said roll and held against turning, a stripping plate loosely mounted on said rod and inclined upward toward said roll contra to the direction of rotation thereof, and a leaf spring secured on said rod and yieldingly holding the upper edge of said plate in contact with said roll, said plate having a slot accommo dating said spring.

5. In an ironing machine of the character described, a roll, a rockably mounted shoe shaft, an arm fixed on said shaft and slotted from its free end, a second arm loose on said shaft and having a slotted element overlying the slotted portion of said fixed arm, a shoe mounted on the free end of said second arm, and a headed member slidable' lengthwise of said second arm extending through the slots of said arms and securing the latter together for movement as a unit, said member being movable along the slot of said second arm into position to release the latter from said fixed arm.

6. In an ironing machine of the character described, a roll, a rockably mounted shoe shaft, an arm fixed on said shaft and having a slot open at one end, a second arm of channel crosssection straddling said fixed arm and loose at one end on said shaft, a shoe mounted on the other end of said second arm for cooperation with said roll, the bight element of said second arm having a lengthwise slot therethrough extending beyond the free end of said fixed arm, a headed screw extending through the slot of said second arm and adjustable therealong into and out of engagement with the slotted portion of said fixed arm, the outer portion of said screw being of reduced diameter providing a shoulder thereon at the inner face of the bight element of said second arm, and a clamping nut threaded upon said screw at the outer face of said bight element.

'7. In an ironing machine of the character described, a frame provided adjacent each end with a forwardly projecting arm, a roll supported by said arms, an electric motor mounted on one arm of said frame having driving connection to said roll, a shoe shaft rockably supported by the arms of said frame, a shoe supported by said shaft for movement to and from said roll, and shoe shaft operating means carried by the other arm of said frame and operatively connected to said shoe shaft.

8. In an ironing machine of the character described, a frame provided adjacent each end with a forwardly projecting arm, two cooperating ironing members mounted on the arms of said frame for relative movement one toward and away from the other, one of said members being a roll, an

I electric motor mounted on one arm of said frame having driving connection to said roll, and operating means mounted on the other arm. of said frame having operating connection to one of said members eifective for moving it toward and away from the other of said members.

9. In an ironing machine of the character described, a frame of approximately U-shape in plan comprising a substantially fiat bight portion and arms projecting forwardly from said bight portion adjacent the ends thereof, two cooperating ironing members mounted on said arms of said frame, one of said members being a roll and the other of said members being movable toward and away fromsaid roll, an electric motor mounted on one arm of said frame having driving connection to said roll, and operating means mounted on the other arm of said frame having operating connection to said other member efiective for moving the latter toward and away fromsaid roll.

EDWARD B. CARSON. 

